I'm home!

I'm just home and tired as heck! I have already been watching the videos and miss the kids terribly!

I will blog tomorrow about the last couple of days in Russia with the wee ones!

Thanks to you all for checking in and keeping us in your prayers!

Precious Ones

It is 3:30AM, and I am wide awake. I have been sleeping from about 7:00PM until 2:30AM each night and that’s about it! I don’t feel bad though. I guess I am living on the high of knowing that Zack and Sophie will not have to spend their lives in the orphanages. Praise God for that!

When we arrive at Zack’s orphanage each day there are about 5 boys who look to be between 8 and 13 standing on either side of the porch to the entrance. As we walk through them, I can see the wonder in their eyes and the hope that they hold that someone might come for them one day. They are very polite and speak to us each day. I am imagining they are saying good morning or good afternoon. They look us in the eyes as they speak and smile.

It really breaks my heart. The phrase “ignorance is bliss” has taken on new meaning for me. I wish I did not know the statistics of children raised in Russian orphanages. Truth is that it is likely that one of these boys will commit suicide and the rest will live a life of drug and alcohol abuse because they will not be able to function in a society that sees them as less than worthy. I keep reminding myself to focus on what I can do instead of how much more needs to be done. Pray with me for these children.

There are many who come to Russia to adopt so that they can have a family, but few come to rescue the less wanted older orphan children. I have to admit that I was just a bit saddened that Zack and Sophie are over 2 years old, but I know now beyond a shadow of a doubt that God brought these kids into my life, and something tells me that I will learn more from them than they will from me! God generally seems to work that way, huh?

The drive to the orphanage was not unpleasant because I played a trick with my mind and told myself that I must listen to four CDs all the way through on my iPod before we arrived. So, I listened to Green Day American Idiot (sorry Amykins), Stellar Kart (awesome alternative Christian band), Third Day, and half of Willy Porter (awesome artist). Before I knew it, we were there! The mind is a curious thing and distractions are WONDERFUL!

Speaking of “American Idiot,” it is so crazy how traveling can widen one’s worldview. Mine has expanded exponentially on this trip. I can remember learning and teaching about the Soviet Union and the trap of Communism. It was a very rote lesson. I never took the time, beyond a surface level, to think about the people affected by it or who supported it. Now that I am here, and I actually hear my interpreter say phrases like, “During Soviet rule…” I realize that it was very real, and communism has left a trail behind it.

Surely I digress from what you are here to read about! Today I went to see Sophie first! We walked into the orphanage out of a very snowy day, up the stairs where we took off our shoes, and into the playroom where we heard many kids playing, crying, and clamoring about. I have not been allowed to see any of the other children at Sophie’s orphanage, but from what I can hear, there are at least 30 or 40 behind those closed doors. Tomorrow, I get to watch their holiday program! I can’t take pics, but I am thrilled to get to see the little ones and clap for them!

It was in these first few minutes that on a document written completely in Russian, I wrote the following by hand:

I, Deana Rivera, agree to adopt (birth name, which cannot be used on a blog) born September 29, 2003.

Deana Marie Rivera December 28, 2006.

I wrote this on three original documents and then I heard the pitter pat of her tiny little feet! The door opened and there she was! She hurried over and jumped up into my arms and held on so tight! She spoke to me, and I imagine she was saying hello and please don’t leave again. She is as light as a feather! We played for an hour or so and enjoyed every minute of it. We have great fun playing with a balloon which she loves to hit around to each other. She also enjoys hitting it at Gina who makes her famous crazy faces and has Sophie laughing. The unveiling of the doll Wanda bought her was the hit of the visit. She threw that balloon down so fast and went right into mommy mode. It was the sweetest thing ever! She sang a whole song to her baby as she rocked her. Later with tears I told her, “This is what mommies are supposed to do sweet Sophie girl.”

I traced her foot for size and dressed her in some clothes I brought. She acted like my Kaylie Anne Marie who is a clothes hound! Sophie was in heaven. She, Kaylie and Josh will be fast friends as they tell me what clothes and shoes they want next! I brought a little brush and hair things and Sophie insisted that every hair band go in her hair at once! So, I made her happy by giving her a Spice Girl hairdo! Just about then her tutor opened the door slowly and said in Russian, “Sophie, it is time to go now.” Sophie looked at me and smiled and very obediently walked over to the tutor who told Sophie it was okay to go back and give me a hug and a kiss. She did and looked back at me the whole time she walked back through that door. She is an angel.

Next we were off to Zack’s orphanage were we met in a very small office again. It is a little tough to play with a boy in such small quarters, but it doesn’t hold him back a bit. He came in with a great big smile and bright eyes. He had been asking his tutor who I was and what my name was and if I would come back again. When they told him I was his momma, he had the biggest smile and sparkle in his eyes. It just melted my heart. I realize that because he will be five in April his chances of being adopted were slim to none, and I had second thoughts at first as well. I am so glad I decided to go on faith and trust God.

He brought his coloring book and crayons back and jumped right into coloring with me. He is so darn focused when he puts his mind to something. His coloring is outstanding for his age. To get him out of his shell a little bit more, we pulled out a balloon and then we had great boy fun bopping it around and yes, hitting Gina on the head with it. Her faces made him double over in laughter. Such and awesome sound! I couldn’t help but think about God’s love for us and the joy he gets in seeing His children happy!

At one point Zack darted out of the room, and I alerted the tutor. She quickly went after him. The interpreter let me know that he had gone out to gloat to his group about his new momma. So amazing and so sad all at once… The emotions are high on this trip but not too much drama. You all know me. Leave it to Gina to notice the tears! I should insert here that Gina has been an incredible help on this trip. She has taken all of the pics and also taken all of the notes during my many important meetings regarding the kids. I can’t wait until she is helping me take them home soon.

I traced Zack’s foot and it is just about the size of Sophie’s! They are very close in size. Sophie is quite tall for her age and Zack is about a size smaller than he should be, but I know they are both going to fill out and grow with good food and loving.

Zack’s orphanage director told me that the free dentist to the orphanages does not use anesthetics! His teeth, all baby of course, do need work and fillings, etc… I will pay to have a Russian dentist clean his teeth while I am back in the states so that he will not have substandard painful care. Taking him directly to a dentist in the US would be very scary for him since he does not know the language. I’m sure, however, that Dr. Noble (my most wonderful dentist) will be pleased to meet him and bring his teeth back to a normal state of health. Sophie’s teeth are perfect although she will get a check up too.

Zack and I played with bubbles and had great fun after which his tutor told him it was time for lunch. He requested very politely to skip lunch! They let him stay for about 15 more minutes. When it was time to go, he immediately and happily obeyed his tutor who loves him dearly. I can see it in her eyes. He ran back hugged and kissed me and requested to see me again tomorrow! He is so precious! His big blue eyes melt my heart!

I will admit that on the way back to the hotel, my stomach was in knots. This is such a HUGE undertaking. What am I thinking? Can I do this? Can I love them enough? Can I be the mom they deserve? How will they do in school? Will Zack’s teeth come around? Am I ready for this? Thoughts and questions were just swirling around in my mind. Then I remembered that God does not call us to anything for which He has not equipped us. I began focusing on His word and His great love for us, and I began to rest in Him and the fact that He through me will care for these little ones. That was a load off of my mind! Then I remembered all of my family and friends who are supporting me in this endeavor. These little ones are going to be SO LOVED and nurtured. I cannot wait until they meet all of you.

I am living for the day that I set them in babushka’s lap!!!!! Mom, I love you!!!!!! They are going to be the luckiest kids alive having you for a grandma!

Sorry for the length of the blog, but there is just so much to say!!!!!

In Russia, Day Two: MOE and Meeting the Kids

The alarm went off at 6:00AM. It was the day that I would meet my children! We were to meet Olga and Sergei in the lobby at 8:30 to go to the Ministry of Education office for my official interview and receipt of the referrals. I was nervous!

The drive from the city center where we are staying to the MOE was all of about 15 minutes. This made me very happy after all of the long travels leading up to this day. At the MOE, I walked into an old building to a small coatroom where we left our coats, hats, and scarves. I was wondering just how long this interview would take! We walked up the stairs and down a long hall to a small office where we stood by the door until invited in by two beautiful women dressed to the nines.

I sat in front of them and answered the following questions:

Do you have biological children?
Have you ever been married?
What do you do for a living?
Where do you live?
Why do you want to adopt?

I answered these questions very easily and before I knew it, the woman was signing all of the paperwork for the two children. I, my friend Gina, and the interpreter were dismissed while the facilitator stayed behind to gather the paperwork. We were out of their within about 20 minutes flat! It was such a relief to have successfully completed this official meeting. It was in this meeting that I heard that the children were in orphanages in Visk Russia which is in the Nizhky, Novgorod region – 3 hours away! I have to admit that my heart sunk a bit. Such a long drive…

We spent the next 3 hours on the road which was grueling because it was bitterly cold outside and that cold made its way into the van as well. Before we could go to the orphanages, we stopped to pick up the director of the MOE in Visk. She needed to accompany me to the meetings with the orphanage staff members who would update me on the children’s medical, psychological, and social status. So, at that point our group consisted of the driver, Olga the interpreter (thank God for her), Olga the facilitator (she looks like a movie star), the directors whose name I do not recall, Gina and me. We had a van full as we headed for the orphanage where I would meet my little boy.

The orphanage was in a very remote spot, but from the outside the building looked quite nice. However, as I entered I realized that the floors were uneven and the walls were coming apart. It was not horrible, but definitely in disrepair. I was taken back to a small office after being given the opportunity to use the restroom where there was no toilet paper. I had left mine in my backpack. For those who follow after me, always keep tissue in your pocket.

In this small office, I was surrounded by the director of the orphanage, the medical doctor, the psychologist, the social worker, the facilitator, and the interpreter. It was quite nerve racking. Basically, they took turns walking me through his file and letting me know all that I needed to know. He is a healthy happy boy. It took about an hour to get to that point of realization. Once they were finished, they asked me if I wanted to meet him. And, of course I gave a great big smile and a yes.

He came into the room and his sparkling blue eyes and long eyelashes jumped out at me. He is such a boy in every way and adorable! He loves to draw and build things. He focuses very well and likes to finish what he starts. He colored a page while I watched, and I was amazed with his logic and small motor skills. He appears to be quite athletic and studious. We shall see! I had only about 30 minutes with him before I had to leave to meet his sister who was at an orphanage about 5 minutes away.

When I met my daughter, I had only to meet with the medical doctor because the history of the children is the same. This took only about 20 minutes and soon enough I was in a playroom upstairs bopping a balloon around with my little girl. She looks much like her brother with big blue eyes, long eyelashes, and light brown hair. We had a grand time playing, and when finished she cuddled up in my arms to get warm.

Both look like they have been well cared for but can use some good feeding and loving. The orphanages are very clean and the staff very very nice and welcoming. He is 4 years old, and she is three. This is much older than I requested and seems to be some kind of mix up, but I think God had his hand in it. They will only let the two go together and not many adopt two at once so my home is the home they were meant to share. I am so thrilled to get the privilege of being their mom!

I must get some shuteye as we will be picked up tomorrow at 7:00AM to make the long drive again. Two more days of 6 hours on the road to see my beautiful little ones…

One surprise today that those coming to NN after me should remember:

They don’t stop for food! We went all day with no food arriving back at the hotel at 8:00PM. That is so not American! LOL

In Russia, Day One

We left LAX at 3:00PM on Christmas Eve after waking at 5:30AM for our quick rendition of Christmas morning! It was fun waking all of the kids up and video taping the various comments and swollen eyes! Sounds somewhat mean, but we do this each year and the kids look forward to watching themselves on “tape”! It went just as planned! Instead of Christmas dinner, we had Christmas Eve morning breakfast.

The kids were all thrilled with their gifts and very excited about our trip to Russia to meet their new niece, nephew, cousin, and for my mom granddaughter and grandson! The Russian adoption did not overshadow Christmas, as I was afraid it would, but rather, it added to the joy and anticipation. My family is so excited to love on these children that it is not even funny! How blessed am I? Amazingly so…

We arrived in Frankfurt, Germany 11.5 hours after leaving LAX. We spent five VERY LONG hours in the airport there and were fortunate enough to find a section of about 50 reclining chairs in which we fell sound asleep. It was COLD in the airport and this is where Gina noticed that her jacket had been forgotten! Not a happy moment when being dead tired and cold is on the ticket! So, long story short, we went shopping in the airport something that one should avoid if possible! She is now the owner of a very nice Lacoste winter jacket! There is no Macy’s or TJ Maxx in the airport. It was Lacoste or Escada, and you guessed it she picked the “cheaper”. Now she must go to the snow back home in sunny CA at least 5 times to make it worth the money spent!

After the long layover in Germany, we continued on a 3-hour flight to Nizhny Novgorod, which is north of Moscow and south of St. Petersburg. When we arrived, it was after midnight, which means it was Christmas Day 2006!!! Upon arrival, we got off the plane outside on the tarmac and were shuttled over to the airport where we went through customs (long wait) and then got our luggage. I noticed that they take seriously the registration of foreigners visiting their country. I do not think they would handle the Mexico Cali border like we do! Do not even get me started on the pat downs over here! They are serious about it. Perhaps, in America we are not as strict because we have this prevailing sense of personal space.

After arriving in NN, we were greeted by Olga and Sergei who held a sign saying, “DEANA MARIE RIVERA”. It could not have been easier from that point on. They are both very nice. Olga is the interpreter and Sergei the driver. I will pay them a certain amount each day to help me in this facet.

We took a long drive to the hotel, which is in the center of NN. When we arrived, Olga and Sergei came in, helped us get checked in, and walked us up to the room before leaving. Olga took my cell phone number, and I took hers so we could communicate by text messaging. They then left and we crashed after long hot showers.
The first day was a free day during which we slept until noon and then had lunch in the hotel. The food was very good. I ordered an appetizer of chicken and mushrooms in a cheese sauce, French fries, and a blini with maple sauce. It was all great! The chicken and mushrooms came in what looked like a silver measuring cup about the size of ¼ cup. We laughed. It was tiny, tiny, but good, good! Fries are fries and the blini was like crepes with syrup. The taste is a little different than crepes but good as well. I topped it all of with a Pepsi Light. A Pepsi Light here is 28 rubles, which translates to about a buck! I know there is a God. In Italy and France a Diet soda was between $5 and $8, and for any of you that know me, I will pay what I must for my drug of choice.

After lunch, we walked down the riverbank to a pedestrian shopping area. It was VERY cold, but great fun living it up with the locals. Most look exactly like Americans look just add a fur hat to the top of their heads. You know like the one I have had for years and take out each winter only to be called Babushka! A Russian actually stopped me and asked me a question today in Russian. It must have been the hat!

There are not any souvenir shops in this city center and there are no Americans to be seen. It is cool to be in a place and able to simply enjoy it for what it is without any tourist traps per say. I was surprised, however, that I was looking for the traps! I did make one purchase of two nativities, which are gorgeous and native to Russia.

Christmas is January 7th here. There are Christmas trees everywhere. They decorate them a little differently than we Americans do. The lights are strung not around the tree but from top to bottom in straight lines. It is kind of cool. Garland is EVERYWHERE. There is a bridge over which one must cross to arrive the center of town. Lights are strung from one side to the other. I also see Santa Claus billboards everywhere. His is just in a more colorful suit.

The people here are beautiful and thin which makes me wonder where the babushkas come in. It is like once the women hit 40 they gain tons of weight cause the young women are very fit. They are all beautiful though large or small. I am no one to be dissing the big beautiful women out there! Shout out to my girls! You know who you are!

So, I have been pondering how incredibly AWESOME God is! He is so wonderful to us! He has chosen these children for me before not only their births, but also my own as well! He has brought me here and allowed Gina to join me. Thank heavens for such great friendships. I see Him everywhere. Signs of His great love for us are all around. I just do not see how anyone could not believe in a greater power. I mean there is definitely someone who orchestrates all of this, and my life has been His symphony! May it continue to be so! Thank you Jesus for your bountiful gifts of love and for the doses of reality we need now and again. And, lest I make those who do not believe think I am a freak, just know that His love is higher than the highest mountain, deeper than the deepest sea, and it even touches those who do not believe each day!

Good night from Russia, and I must add that Lauren, you were 100% correct about many things, but the one that comes to mind first off is that I CANNOT SLEEP a wink!!!

In about 10 hours, I will meet my children, and my world will be forever changed. Now signing off for the last time as the person I am today! J

Details of Preparation for Trip #1

I am still in the process fo getting flight reservations to travel to Nizhniy Novgorod which is about 5 hours north of Moscow by train. I have two itineraries so far:

• Leave Christmas Eve at 2:30Pm from LAX
• Arrive in Nizhniy on Christmas night
• Spend the 26th-29th visiting orphanage
• Spend New Years Eve in Frankfut Germany before returning home on January 1st

• Leave Christmas evening at 6:00pm from LAX
• Arrive in Moscow on December 26th
• Spend 27th-29th visiting orphanage
• Take overnight train to Nizhniy and arrive in Nizhniy the morning of the 27th
• Leave Nizhiy by train on the 29th
• Leave Moscow on the 30th
• Arrive home the evening of the 30th

The first itinerary sounds great to me except for the part of messing up Christmas for my family. They all understand completely and are saying GO, GO, GO; but my sentimentality is taking over!

The second itineray allows me to be home for Christmas, but I will have less time to spend with the children. I'm not so happy about that.

I will let you know what the final travel plans end up being! God is good so I know He'll give me wisdom in choosing. I also know that once I see those precious faces, I am going to melt inside, and none of these details will matter!

Merry Christmas to me!!! What a gift!

I got "THE CALL"

On December 11th, Alliance for Children called me to let me know that my two sons are waiting for me to visit!!! My heart sank! I wasn't sure what to think! The day I had been waiting for the last six months had arrived, and I didn't know what to do!

The details were that I needed to leave on Christmas day for an appointment at the orphange on December 27th. Christmas day! Christmas Day! My heart sunk again...

You see I host Christmas Day at my house! It is the best day of the year for my family. I have seven brothers and sisters and a mom who I adore, and we all meet this day at my house to enjoy the festivities which we look forward to each year. Thoughts were spinning in my head!

I quickly responded, "YES, I'LL GO"!!!! Am I crazy?

I'm Registered!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Yesterday I received an email from my agency that went something like this:

Dear Deana,

Your dossier has been registered at the MOE in Russia. You would have already traveled if you had not requested a girl. Our Russian representative is trying to locate a girl for one other family and you are second in line.

I felt the strangest feeling in my stomach!!! I could not believe what I was reading! #1 I'm registered and #2 I did NOT request a girl! I quickly rushed over to Gina's desk to tell her the good news to which she responded, "But, you didn't ask for a girl"! Right she was!

I called the agency and let them know that my homestudy, INS approval, and verbal request is 2 children one under 18 months and the other under 3 with the younger definitely being a boy. I have no gender preference for the older of the two. She said I should receive a call next week.

Do you know what this means???? I could be traveling SOON as in December!!!! I still don't know so I am not getting to excited, but I AM REGISTERED IN MOSCOW!!! Praise the Lord!!!

Finally Some News

I have officially switched adoption agencies! The agency I was with is not accredited and there are some issues in the Russian Ministry of Education that are holding up the reaccreditation process. Please keep in your prayers those waiting on this accreditation. Many cannot change agencies as I have because they would lose a ton of money in the process. Fortunately for me, I will only lose about $1,000 which I will make up for by being able to travel to Russia in the winter. It is a much cheaper plane ticket! I am ready to be very cold!

My dossier (paperwork including home study) is in Russia being translated. This process takes 3 or 4 weeks after which my dossier is pass through several hands before ending up with the representative who will match my home study with two children that fit my "family" and my request. I have requested two children - one under 18 months and the other under 3. One must be a boy and the other may be a boy or a girl. I have to be honest. I'm hoping for a girl to be a part of the mix.

Once my dossier is matched up with the children, I will receive pictures and video of both of the children. This is when it gets scary!!! I will need to take the pictures and video to a doctor who specializes in international adoption. He/she will give me advice on the health of the children by watching and looking at them.

If I accept the referral, I will be on my way to Russia within the next 3 or 4 weeks.

You see how there are 3 or 4 weeks here and there. Time really passes by in this process!!!! I try not to think about the adoption too much just to keep sane. If you think of me and the little ones, please send up a prayer for us!

Thanks for reading!

A few words...

Well, the agency received my dossier all in one piece! I had a little scare as my overnight package turned out to be over two nights! If you have ever adopted or read up on it, you'd know how fast my heart dropped when I heard that all of this official paperwork may have been lost! I have copies, but Russia needs originals!

But alas, no need for drama. The dossier reached Faithful Adoptions. Please pray with me that there are very few changes if any and also that the agency gets reaccreditation soon. This would be such a blessing!

Crocodiles!!!

Can you see that crocodile behind Josh's head? Do you see the look on Josh's face? He was a bit frightened that it was so close! I felt very brave,
however, and encouraged him to smile for the picture!

Later that night when the house was quiet and everyone was hunkered down for the night, I decided to take a swim all by my lonesome. I turned the pool lights on and flipped on the jacuzzi just in case I got cold (imagine that!). I then took a couple steps and quickly took the form of a canon ball! The only problem was that when I hit the water all I could think about was the crocodile you see in this picture. The few seconds I was under water with my eyes closed seemed like years as I imagined this croc at my feet!!! Where did all that bravery go?!

To say the least, I don't think I have ever moved so quickly to the shallow side of the pool! What a big chicken! Isn't the mind a curious thing?!

And, as usual there is an application that can be made! Our minds can cause us to move to action very quickly even when our thoughts are not based upon truth. This just reminds me that I need to make sure what I am thinking is based upon fact and not fiction. I mean how many crocodiles have you seen swimming in clorinated pools in Corona, California?!!!

Praise Jesus!

Well, I am happy to post that the adoption agency was officially registered as an NGO today! What a blessing to finally hear that there is some forward movement! On a second note, I sent my apostilled dossier to the agency today as well. I am officially on the waiting list! This is a great thing!

Well, tonight was a very busy night! I watched the boys, Kenny 11 and Josh 5 for Gina so she could take an exam and do some homework for one of her three college courses! So, I took them for long overdue haircuts and a good healthy dinner at Quiznos. We had a nice time, but boy am I tired! This is just preparation for when Rowan and Rylie come home! Kind of cool if you think about it! God knows how to prepare us for what He has planned for our lives. Tonight that included, haircuts, dinner, bath time, late night grocery shopping for milk and lunch items, and then the prep of lunches! Dude, I am ready to crash!

Oh, you're wondering how Gina's test went???? Not sure yet! I'll have to check with her later when I give her a full report of her angels. Actually, they are really the most well behaved kids I know so my job wasn't all that tough this evening!

I'll tell you another time about my encounter with the crocodile at the zoo. :)

Can you picture it?

Doesn't this house look like it is missing something? Yep, you got it!! It's missing two beautiful Russian babies!!! Soon you'll see pictures of Rowan and Rylie playing ball out front... Can you picture it? Ready for a game of kick ball?

Well, not much going on right now with the adoption. My homestudy and all of the paperwork for my dossier is complete. I am just waiting on the package, and then it will be sent off to be apostilled which is a 3 day turn around service. I am not too worried about it because the adoption agency has not been registered as an NGO yet nor have they been reaccredited. I am anticipating both of these hurdles to be crossed in the next month or so, but I could be sorely mistaken! We shall see how long God needs the babies to be in Russia before coming to America! :)

On a completley different note, as far as life goes! I am thoroughly amazed with the house fans that we just had installed. There are five in the upstairs of the house. They are basically large vents that suck all of the hot air out of the house and then either pull the cold air in from the open windows OR suck hot air out and then allow the air conditioner to cool the house very quickly. To say the least, we have not had to run the air at all since we got the fans and in the morning the house is VERY cool and EXTREMELY fresh because the air being sucked in is the fresh morning air! I LOVE IT! Oh, and did I mention that running the fans costs 1/10th of the cost of running the air conditioner! PRAISE JESUS for small mercies!

Okay, well peace out my friends! Please comment if you read! I am feeling very lonely in this blog!!! Praise be to God for giving me good friends like YOU! Yep, you! Don't act so surprised! :) LOL Love you all! Rowan and Rylie are going to be so lucky!!!!

Waiting List

In Russia, many people including the officials take 60-90 days off work in the summer. This type of hiatus is common in some European countries as well. In Russia, I would imagine that having some extended time off when there is no ice and snow would be helpful!

Due to this 60-90 day hiatus, the government offices are pretty much closed for service. During this 60-90 days which began in June, those of us preparing to adopt continue to be busy bees getting our paperwork completed, notarized and in some cases astopilled. We work as though everything is still moving on that side of the ocean. Well, this in unless your paperwork was completed by June 1st. Then this 60 days becomes VERY long as you wait.

During these 60-90 days, a list begins forming of those waiting to adopt. In my case, the waiting list for Omsk is 6 families long. This means that once the reaccreditation is received, I will be 7th in line. I started getting a bit bummed about this because the agency is only able to send 1 family a week to meet their children. Tick tock, tick tock is what I began hearing. And, there are many others whose clocks have been tick tocking much more loudly than mine. Why is it that the ticking of the clock goes so slow when we are waiting???

I was bummed until I realized that in the past 60+ days, ONLY 6 families have gotten their names on the waiting list to adopt a baby from Omsk. There are 180+ babies in the three little Omsk baby houses, and only 6 families are in line ahead of me. Most of them are adopting one which seems to be the sane way to go! That means of 180 babies, 8 have families waiting to take them home. That thought is humbling. I pray that the Lord lay it on more hearts to save the little ones and to adopt them as He has adopted us.

Now, I know it is a calling so I am by no means trying to make anyone feel guilty. I am just sharing my thoughts and dreams. As I wait, I grow...

So, do you think we could finagle a way to get 60-90 days off???!!!!

"Gotcha Box"

A few of you have asked what my "gotcha box" is so I thought I'd give a short definition. During the home study process, one of the topics that Annette and I discussed was the transition time for the babies.

Annette was pleased that I have traveld a lot because she said a huge part of the bonding process includes making the babies feel at home whle keeping some of the familar around them. She even said that some Chinese orphanages smell very stongly of urine so the suggestion is that rather than completely cleaning the baby up and giving him/her that Johnson and Johnson's smell, the adoptive parent should consider pinning a small piece of their cloth diaper to the pajamas so that they can be comforted by the familiar smell. The suggestion is to ween them off of the old and gently introduce them to the new. That, I thought, was so counter American culture. Most of us including me would equate good parenting with cleaning them up and rescuing themfrom the less than fragrant odor.

Annette explained that not only will the smells be new but their entire world will be new. The feel of their clothing, their beds, there blankets, the arms of their new parent, the lighting in the house, the basic surroundings, etc... I was amazed at the thought of how this little one might feel in the first couple of weeks in America, in California, at home!!!

So, Annette told me about many adoptive parents keeping good records of the "gotcha date" which is the day that the child(ren) come home. She suggested collecting things from Russia while there and also collecting items during the process of the adoption. These things are what will be put in my "gotcha box". The box will be brought out once a year and little by little I'll introduce them to the world that used to be all they knew. I want them to appreciate their roots and the culture from which they came. I hope to one day when they are older take them back to visit. We shall see if that dream comes to fruition.

So, that's the "gotcha box". First, I will gently ease them into not missing Russia too much and then I will teach them little by little to appreciate the beauty of the culture in which they were born.

Last Call

ONLY FOR THE STRONG IN HEART

Okay, so here's the down and dirty of it all as far as the raffle goes!!! We have some killer prizes just waiting to be won! I mean there is an AWESOME flat screen telvision and a pillow top and bottom mattress the size of your choice up for grabs! And, this for just a $5 donation or simply for picking up a ticket from Gina or Wanda!!!

Now, here's the down low... Some philanthropic company which will remain unnamed is ascared (homemade word for homemade fears) to step outside the box to help little orphans needing homes. So, instead of focusing on the fact that tickets cannot be openly solicited on the premises, I choose to focus on the fact that they can be solicited on my personal BLOG! And, you as my friend can choose to read my blog on your break or at home time!!! :) Isn't God good?! I think He supports us jointly standing in the gap for these little helpless ones waiting to be brought to America! All aspects of the raffle are above board and have been checked through Christian legal counsel. Since tickets are available freely with a suggested donation, it is not even close to gambling! :) Try to pick up a lotto ticket for free or come by and help the orphans!

So, in short, if you would like a chance to win something from the LONG list of AWESOME prizes, please see Gina or Wanda for a ticket and consider making a $5 donation if the Lord so leads. Every penny will go towards bringing two little ones into the fold.

Raffle Tickets!!!

Soon there will be two more playmates for little Mikey Pompey!!! With your help, I'll be bringing Rowan and Riley over a much larger body of water!!! Then, someday, they'll be sitting on the side of that same jacuzzi being coaxed to jump in the water! I'm not sure if Scott ever got Mikey to make the plunge!

If you work at ECCU and would like a raffle ticket, please see Gina or Wanda. There is a suggeseted donation of $5 for 1 ticket and $20 for 5 tickets. See the long list of cool prizes on my website located under the fundraiser section!!!!

Fundraisers to come: Yard Sales, Car Wash, Ebay sales, bake sales, and Tupperware!!!

And, if you keep up with my blog, let me know by posting a comment! :)

Estimations

Well, I am approaching my 36th birthday this Saturday, and I am feeling just a tad bit OUT OF SORTS!!!! :) Really, I say to myself, stop the drama! I'm excited that this 36th year will be a year of rejoicing! Okay, so it will be a year of learning to be patient and to celebrate small victories leading up to the big ones. It will be a year to forget about legalistic people and places and to reach higher for greater things!

According to my estimations which seem to be a theme in this blog, I will likely go to Russia in late October to visit the orphanage. It will be a fall trip to Siberia - burrrrrzy! I'm getting myself excited about the prospect of traveling in just 2 or 3 months! Even though I have traveled all over the world, I am very uneasy about long flights over the Atlantic! What a baby! On my last flight back from Italy, there were two Italian boys pretending the plane was going down! I almost hyperventilated!!!

This trip I will be traveling with the same group that I went to Italy with - my 23 year-old sister Victoria, my 19 year-old brother Andrew, and Gina our "adopted" sister (age unknown he he he). I am not sure who can actually go to the orphanage with me, but they will all be there for support and also to see Moscow and perhaps St. Petersburg while I am at the orphanage. I'm not sure as to the details at this point. I am just glad I'll be surrounded by family!!! They'll fill in time gaps as necessary.

Pray for me as I seek further funding for the remaining funds to be gathered. I have sold Pampered Chef and will be selling Tupperware next month. Gina, Wanda, Victoria and my 21 year-old sister have put together a raffle (fully as in 100% legal and verified by an unbiased attorney), car wash, and ebay sales. Each dollar counts for these little helpless ones!!!! God will provide!

Thanks to all of you who have donated to the raffle and to those who have donated funds towards the adoption in whatever way you have. I have been working very hard to find ways to earn the remaining 1/3 of the funds and without God working through you, I'm not sure I'd succeed.

Gina? I've got to stop saving my passwords on my laptop!

I just finished reading Gina's blog! Boy, she really does do her research! She has found much of the information I found over the past 5 years as I was praying over this endeavor. It is an awakening experience to acknowledge the dispair with which these children deal. It is easy to filter things through our American way of life and form our opinion based primarily upon our own experiences growing up in and being churched in this great country. I would suggest that this way of thinking is very limiting. And, one must remember, that even the Bible cannot be solely interpreted according to American norms. Jesus never lived here. He never wore Nikes. He never graced the door of a Starbucks. When we read the Bible, we travel in our mind to Israel, Jericho, Ninevah, Tarsus, Egypt... When you read about or think about Russian orphans, you must travel in your mind to Russia.

There is a great big world out there that is foreign to us; a world that is not run by our democratic process; a world that is not centered on God's Holy Word; a world that does not share our wealth. It is out in that world that children know pain that we could NEVER imagine. This is why I want to challenge each of you to read more about the issue before making a judgement of any sort. Once you have read both the Scripture and also the facts on the situation in Russia, ask God what you might do to help.

You see there is no need to read on my behalf. I have done so and no negative feedback from fellow Christians could convince me that God is leading me astray. He has providentially asked me to step in and help. First, I will bring 1 or 2 orphans into my home where they will be loved, nurtured, and taught about the depth of the love of Christ. Second, I will seek ways to support the orphans left behind. And, third, and perhaps most important, I will pray for all of the children, the ones I bring home and those that are left behind. I will pray that more than 1% of them will be adopted. I will pray that someone will save them from a dsimal future. What I won't do is pray that orphans be kept in orphanges unless a perfect family unit seeks to adopt them. That, my friend, is ludicrous. God is not limited by our humanity! It is in our weakness that He shows His strength!

I should give one disclaimer. I have heard of only 1 fellow Christian who has boldly stated that a single woman adopting an orphan is unethical. This feedback did not upset me in any way. It just made me realize a little more how Noah felt when he was building the ark. He just kept building, and I will do the same.

Howdy from Gina

Okay, I know this is "Deana's Blog", so please click on the link to read some of my thoughts regarding Deana's pending adoption.

Check out http://ginamarie-justrambling.blogspot.com/

Forward on...

I received the draft of the homestudy and boy was it strange to read a 6 page biography about me, my character, my finances, my home, my family, my potential as a parent, etc... Annette did a wonderful job putting this document together! I wish Annette could be with me each step of the way, but this is where I tell her "see you later" until after the child(ren) are here. She will visit my home at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years after the child(ren) arrive. These are called post placement studies. This due to about 12 Russian orphans being murdered by their American parents within the last 15 or so years. I welcome the post placement studies!!! I look forward to seeing Annette again.

What happens now? I wait for the notarized hard copy of the homestudy and then I send it along with a bunch of other paperwork to Sacramento to be apostillized. There is a 3 day turn around for this process. Boy, I wish I could process loans that fast!

Please pray that Faithful Adoptions earns their reaccreditation in September as planned. The Russian laws regarding foreign adoptions have gotten a bit more strict this year as can be imagined. While there are in excess of 300,000 children in Russian orphanages, the Russian government is undertandably concerned about their well being in other countries especially America. I cannot get approval to travel until they earn this reaccreditation.

Please pray for me that I will be still and quiet as I listen to the Lord's call. Pray for the babies - not just the ones God will entrust to me for a time. Pray for their caretakers that they will have an extra dose of energy to cuddle and nurture so many at one time.

Pray for all of the orphans of the world and pray that more Christians will step forward and do more to help. While this parenting thing will be daunting at times and definitely not an easy rode, I have confidence that He will guide me. He has a plan! It only took 12 empowered by Him to change the world! God does not call us to anything for which He does not equip us!

Forward on...

Final Homestudy Visit

Well, last night, July 3rd, was my final visit with Annette. She came to the house at 6:30 and met Gina's boys Kenny 11 and Josh 5. She asked them each what they think about the whole adoption idea and having a baby in the house. They were so cute. When asked what do you think about this whole thing, both said they think it is very cool and exciting that they get a new baby cousin in the house. When Annette asked Kenny what he would do with the baby he responded, "Teach him about God." That was WAY touching! I hope he is a pastor one day!

After she spoke with the boys, my sister Steph and someday brother in-law Jeremy took the boys along with my nieces Adrianna and Selena to Gameworks for the night! Then Annette proceeded to ask Gina the same very basic questions and also to make sure with her that she thinks her boys will respond well.

After Gina went upstairs mom came downstairs to meet Annette. Mom as most of you know is VERY talkative! They hit it off very well. Annette was most impressed that mom kept saying when "we" get the baby. When "we" love the baby. She thought it was amazing to have so many people so into helping a little one.

Once Annette and I got down to business she just basically went over the paperwork I filled out on my family. It was pretty easy stuff! We were finished by 9:00PM. Amazingly enough, when we were finished Annette went to Best Buy to talk with Andrew because he could not take a break from work to come home. She went there and talked with Andrew and also my mom who trailed along.

Now I am just waiting to hear from her when she completes the homestudy. She send it to the INS and also to the agency after it is notarized. The copy that comes to me will then be sent with a great deal of other paperwork to be apostilled. Apostill refers to basically having the paperwork made ready for the foreign government.

So, now we wait!!!! :) After the homsetudy is apostilled, it will be sent to Faithful Adoption Agency where they will compile my Dossier. The Dossier is what will be sent to Russia where they will match me with a child (or 2). Yes, I told them I am willing to bring home a sibling group 1 of the children being a boy 12 months or under. The other child can be under 3 and sex does not matter.

So pray with me! :)

A Promise Remembered...

I just found out that a very dear friend has breast cancer and underwent a total mastectomy. Boy, this hit me pretty hard. I have known her for 23 years but even more importantly I met her at a turning point in my life. I was 13! Boy that was a loooong time ago! I was a confused kid, and she was my English teacher. She taught me a lot more than English though! She mentored me through some tough times and kept me on the "high road" as she'd call it. I can remember telling her that I felt so stupid for having such strange feelings about things. She said, "No feelings are stupid." "You have the perfect feelings for your age." Now looking back on that I think what was the big deal?

I realize, however, that the big deal was that she cared for me and as I saw it she loved me unconditionally. I felt accepted. That was a pretty powerful feeling. She empowered me to become who I am today. She nurtured me to Christ.

Why do I blog about this when this is my adoption blog???? Well, that an easy answer. I made a promise to myself when I was about 14 years old. I determined in my heart that someday I'd let God use me to change a kid's life just like my English teacher had changed mine.

This news of her illness that she will overcome triumphantly brought this promise back to the forefront of my mind, and I am convinced even more that I am doing what God has called me to do!

PLEASE pray for my friend Gae Wofford and her family that God will give her strength through the next 4 weeks of chemo and through the healing process.

Just another day or is it?

Well, not much has happened with the adoption paperwork today, however, I did call an organization called Kidsave. They put on a program called Miracle Weekends. I am thinking about signing up for 3 months of taking a foster child in each weekend. The kids are between 9 and 15 and are the cream of the crop from the foster care system. It is a system that allows the child to get some exposure to each host's friends and family in hopes that they find an adoptive home. There are just so many kids out there who need love. I have lots of love to give! Pray for me as I consider this committment. It will be at least 7 months until the Russian adoption goes through so I have time to help out other kids too!

Am I crazy or what?????

Deana the half Latina Visits the INS

I am happy to announce that they did not keep me or ship me out! It was an interesting trip! This was the second time Andrew, Gina and I as the adults in the house had to have fingerprints done. Last time we were able to go to the Fullerton PD but this time the INS office was the only choice. This is part of the filing of the I-600A Form for international adoption.

The INS office was very well run and very clean! We were in and out of there in 35 minutes! Praise the Lord for another step out of the way. There is much more paperwork to come!

Homestudy Visit #1

Well, I must say that I was a bit nervous about my first meeting with the social worker! I wasn't sure what she was going to be asking or needing from me. I did know that she needed a tour of my house and a basic understanding of how life is in my house on a day to day basis!
I had heard from another adoptive parent that my social worker, Annette was wonderful and would guide me through the process.

I had the evening planned out and sent my mom off to the movies with my brothers and Gina's boys. I figured that the fewer people there the better. I can remember telling them that I was most nervous because I don't really like to talk too much. Some of you may find that hard to believe!

We started with the tour of the house. She was very complimentary of the decorating and "use of color". I was thinking, "Wow, she knows her psychological because I am already at ease." She only asked two questions: Where will the baby sleep? and Do you have any cages in the house? Those questions were easy enough to answer. There is plenty of space for baby and no cages to be found.

After the tour, we sat down in the family room and began going through the paperwork I had provided via fax and mail. This included going over my medical history and my financial standing. It was a tad bit uncomfortable since this is pretty personal business, but Annette made me feel at ease.

She provided me with a ton of reading material and suggested web sites to visit. I was encouraged to create a list of questions for her that she can answer upon her return on July 3rd.

The session lasted about 3 hours and ended with my explanation of what has led me to adopt and my biggest fears about international adoption.

Annette assured me that I sounded like an excellent fit for an adoptive mother. She said most of my answers were similar to those of biological parents when they are preparing for the birth of a new child. This made me feel great!

Next session, we are going to get more into who I am, how I grew up, what and who influenced me most, etc...

As a side note, I was wondering during the entire session if Annette found my "the Lord this" and "the Lord that" to be kind of strange. She said at one point that I sounded like I had a strong faith and that I should lean on that through this process. I also shared that any judgmental feelings about the adoption have come from Christians at work. She said that it is indeed sad that Christians can at times turn good into bad. At that point, I felt like I had been a bad testimony for Christ. Then our session came to an end and Annette said, "Well, I would love to come back next week, but I am teaching Vacation Bible School! She smiled, and I smiled. I praise God to have met a fellow believer in the business of rescuing children! PTL

Why become a single mom?

Okay, here is another popular question that I would like to answer. Okay, first of all the obvious - God has called me to this, and I have no doubt in my mind or heart about that.

The second answer to that question is posed in a question to you:

Is a child better off with a single mother who can offer a stable nurturing environment including a Christian upbringing or growing up in an orphanage in a poverty stricken part of a country where he could likely end up on the streets by the age of 13 and never come to a knowledge of Christ?

I know the road ahead will be tough and at times seem insurmountable, but I also know that God does not call us to anything that He doesn't have confidence we can handle.

An answer to a common question

Why RUSSIA?????

This endeavor is not about being a mom. It is about bringing hope to a child that needs a springboard in life. With this in mind, I researched US adoptions and found that birth mothers choose the adoptive parents. There is a long list of couples waiting to adopt an American child. I did not see a need for me to add myself to that long list.

The other option for US adoption is to adopt from the foster system. This is a viable choice as well, but when comparing the American system with systems in foreign countries, I found that while it is not ideal for a child to grow up in the foster system, they have more hope of survival than a child in an orphanage in another country.

So, in short I researched countries:

China - I would have to stay there for an entire month!!! Not an option due to working for a living!

Haiti - I wasn't getting a response for the agency and orphanage! They wanted a substantial non-refundable payment up front.

Kazakastan (sp?) - I would have to stay there for 4-6 weeks.

Russia - I will travel there on two occasions both lasting about a 7 days. Money to the orphanage is due with the first trip and not before. This does not include agency fees. Siberian orphanages have many babies from young mothers who give them up due to poverty. Illness and drug and alcohol use are not major issues in this region.

I hope this answers the initial question of why Russia. :0) I do understand the curiosity!

Another Day

Well, in short, today is just another day. There was no movement in the process today. I am still waiting to hear from the social worker who will be completing my homestudy.

One EXCITING thing that happened today is that Wanda (Wandita Juanita Anita Chiquita Chihuaua Lopez Burke) and Gina surprised me with the "Russia with Love" bracelets! Be sure to get one if you don't have it already. Please remember to pray for the precious baby who awaits his trip home! I just keep wondering #1 is he born already and #2 is he being cared for properly? I can't wait to bring him home to meet everybody!

Right now I am watching "The Simple Life" where Paris Hilton and Nicole Riche swap places with housewives/mothers. Dude, I am learning what NOT to do! Gotta go and get some shut eye! TTFN

"Silver and Gold Have I None"

I can remember my mom singing that song as she stood in church next to me, "Silver and gold have I none but such as I have give I thee". I know my mom was singing with all of the faith in the world. She had given everything to follow Him after an empty life of 36 years. I watched her life change right before my eyes. She was transformed and has never gone back to the way she was. That was about thirty years ago, but the impact still lives on in me, her favorite daughter. Now, don't ask my sisters about the favorite part!

As I began to pray about the idea of adoption, the first obstacle that held me back was the money needed for such an endeavor. I found it strange that it could cost $30,000+ to bring a child home and support the child for a minimum of 18 years. I wondered how I could come up with the cash and figured it was impossible. That is until one day when I was driving home through Carbon Canyon whizzing quickly around the corners up and down the hills. My Mercedes was so fun to drive. I loved driving that car! The Lord tapped me on the shoulder that day and whispered (not audibly), "Deana, here is a chunk of the money you need to bring a child home." It took a couple of weeks to come to peace with this idea and to get in line with the plan that God had all along. So, I sold the car and God blessed me with a more baby friendly car with a small payment. I sold my car and the money is 100% going to the adoption.

God has also blessed me with employment at a great company with awesome benefits one of which is a 401k plan with employer matching. So, I will be borrowing a lump sum of money from myself via my 401k plan.

Adding to this my personal savings account, I am now 2/3 of the way to having the funds for the entire adoption.

I count it an honor to have the opportunity to invest the money that God has entrusted to me in a child who has little hope aside from people like you and me stepping up to help! Now, I don't think that all of us are called to go to such extremes, but I know that if we all pull together, we can change one little life.

I covet your prayers and ask that you might consider how God might lead you to help me raise the remaining $10,000. It's sounds like so much to raise, but I know that God works miracles!

Step One of the Loooong Process

Okay, so here are a few of the nuts and bolts of the international adoption process. First of all you must choose an adoption agency who works in the country from which you would like to adopt. In my case, the choice was Faithful Adoptions. I did some research reviewed their license and asked for referrals. Once all checked out, I moved forward by sending in the application along with a check for $2,000. Yep, that was the first chunk of moolah out the door! Once this was sent, the agency sent me a long list of to dos.

The first step in the process is to complete a homestudy. What is in involed in the homestudy you ask? Well, I am in the middle of that process. I had to choose a local adoption agency to do the homestudy since Faithful Adoptions is headquartered in Oregon. This is typical, and the cost is the same no matter what agency you choose. The agency completing my homestudy is Across the World Adoptions referred to me by Faithful Adoptions. I sent them a $200 and then was sent the following list of paperwork to complete before proceeding further:

Personal Questionnaire
Financial Questionnaire (very detailed)
Medical Report Form (included HIV testing!)
Livescan forms
Medical Report Forms for any child living in the home
School/childcare Forms for any child living in the home
Indentity Verification Form
Guardian Form
Three Reference Forms sent to 3 friends or coworkers for completion
Pay balance of $2,000 for a total of $2,200 for the homestudy.

Once I finished all of this which was quite interesting, I was assigned a social worker - Annette Ashe.

I am now awaiting a phone call from Annette to set up one of two meetings at which she will get to know me and the people living in my home with me. From these meetings and more forms that I will complete, she will create about an 8 page "story" of who I am! This is the information that the orphanage will use to decide which baby is best for my home.

So, here I sit very eager to hear from Annette and to get this rolling!

Just the Beginning

Well, first let me say that I am a little behind on this whole blogging thing! Okay, let's get the first topic out of the way! Why am I adopting and why from Russia? Well, the short answer is that God has been prodding my heart for the past few years nudging me to figure out a way to help children.

I envisioned taking in foster kids and basically having a revolving door. I would wonder how I could financially swing it! Each time, I'd come to the same conclusion - it was an impossible dream. I even looked into Chick Fil A's foster homes financed by Truett Cathy, but I noticed quickly that only married couples qualify. This was disappointing but absolutely understandable. So, I dated and waited, but never felt quite right about marrying someone who was more of a business partner than a soulmate. On a single income, however, I knew I could not live such a grand dream so I tabled it.

This past summer a friend of mine worked at a Sri Lankan orphanage and shared with me her experiences. Her stories touched my heart and moved me to do something to help. I began looking online at different orphanages and noticed that there is a GREAT need for people to be used as vessels in the lives of these children who have no hope of a future.

So, it took me about a year to finally put 2 and 2 together! God was showing me that the big house with the revolving door for foster kids was being peared down to my providing a home for 1 child whose life God wants to impact through me. At first, I looked at Haitian adoption because Sri Lanka does not adopt kids to Americans. After a few failed attempts at making contact with the Haitian orphanage and hesitance to send $7,500 in non-refundable funds to an "unknown" place, I began to search for other orphanages from which I could adopt a child. I was led through various sites and referrals to Faithful Adoptions. Faithful Adoptions introduced me to the orphanage in Siberia, Russia and the pieces just started fitting together. I did my research and contacted several people who worked with this orphanage and agency and have peace about adopting from and through them.

Stay tuned for more information regarding the area in Russia where I will travel to meet the precious baby that God will entrust to me for His purposes. And, of course, I will give you a glimpse of the nuts and bolts of an international adoption.

Welcome to Russia with Love!

This is where I will post the details of everything involved with my Russian adoption! Come back often.....